Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40028288›Full record

ReviewiScience2025

Impacts of road development in sub-Saharan Africa: A call for holistic perspectives in research and policy.

Lisa Biber-Freudenberger, Christina Bogner, Georg Bareth, Michael Bollig, Peter Dannenberg, Javier Revilla Diez, Clemens Greiner, Philipo Jacob Mtweve, Britta Klagge, Tanja Kramm and 8 more

Abstract readReview
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in iScience, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

18 authors.

Lisa Biber-FreudenbergerCenter for Development Research, University of Bonn, 53113 Bonn, Germany.
Christina BognerEcosystem Research, Institute of Geography, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Cologne, 50674 Cologne, Germany.
Georg BarethGIS and Remote Sensing Group, Institute of Geography, University of Cologne, Otto-Fischer-Straße 4, 50674 Cologne, Germany.
Michael BolligGlobal South Studies Center, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany.
Peter DannenbergGlobal South Studies Center, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany.
Javier Revilla DiezGlobal South Studies Center, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany.
Clemens GreinerGlobal South Studies Center, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany.
Philipo Jacob MtweveCenter for Development Research, University of Bonn, 53113 Bonn, Germany.
Britta KlaggeDepartment of Geography, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany.
Tanja KrammGIS and Remote Sensing Group, Institute of Geography, University of Cologne, Otto-Fischer-Straße 4, 50674 Cologne, Germany.
Detlef Müller-MahnDepartment of Geography, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany.
Vincent MosetiCenter for Development Research, University of Bonn, 53113 Bonn, Germany.
Nicodemus NyamariEcosystem Research, Institute of Geography, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Cologne, 50674 Cologne, Germany.
Dennis Otieno OchuodhoSchool of Biological and Physical Sciences, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science & Technology, Bondo, Kenya.
Elias KuntashulaDepartment of Agricultural Economics and Extension Education, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.
Theobald TheodoryDepartment of Environment and Sustainable Development, Mzumbe University, Mzumbe, Tanzania.
Jessica Paula Rose ThornCentre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, Weeks Building, 16-18 Prince's Gardens, London SW7 1NE, UK.
Jan BörnerCenter for Development Research, University of Bonn, 53113 Bonn, Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

This perspective explores the multifaceted development challenges related to road network expansion in sub-Saharan Africa, where recent infrastructure investments reflect transformative ambitions but also imply socio-ecological tradeoffs. Roads can boost economic growth by facilitating trade, tourism, and access to essential services, yet they simultaneously contribute to ecosystem fragmentation, biodiversity loss, and human-wildlife conflicts. Looking at the history of Africa's road development, we find that mega-projects-often funded by international donors-reshape political and economic landscapes while altering rural livelihoods and ecosystems. We synthesize literature and case studies to reveal critical trends and propose solutions, urging for a shift toward sustainable, evidence-based infrastructure strategies that balance development with environmental stewardship. We further advocate for transdisciplinary approaches and community engagement to align road expansion with long-term stakeholder needs so as to minimize adverse impacts on Africa's socio-ecological systems.

Indexed as

Environmental scienceHuman geographyHuman GeographyNature conservation

Identifiers

PMID40028288
PMCPMC11869981

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.